106 LIFE AND W&RK IN BENARES AND KUMAON.
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We do hot wonder at the popularity of these gatherings.
The social feeling is as strong among the Hindus as
among any people on the face of the earth. The test
majority lead lives of monotonous toil in places where
there is no excitement greater than that of ordinary village
and hamlet life, and to them it must be a great pleasure
to resort to the gatherings of their people, where religion,
business, and amusement are very happily combined, and
where there is so much to interest, exhilarate, and gratify
them. These times are to them the red-letter days of the
year, without which life would be intolerably dull. Resort
to these gatherings no doubt involves them in toil, in
expense, and sometimes in great suffering; but they do
not shrink from the cost, as they anticipate the expected
benefit.
There cannot be a doubt that Hinduism is greatly
strengthened by these melas. Judaism was greatly
strengthened by the people according to the Divine com-
mand going up thrice every year, at appointed times,
to the place wjjere the name of the Lord was, and by
their repairing in vast numbers once a year to their sacred
capital after they had become widely scattered among
the nations. Muhammadans, by long journeys and
perilous voyages, make their way to Mecca and Medina,
their sacred cities, and make it a point to be present
at the most sacred season, when many thousands are
assembled These pilgrims return to their homes more
devoted than ever to Islam. It would be strange if
Christianity, which above every other religion aims at
producing and sustaining the feeling of universal brother-
hood, did not avail itself of this social feeling, to which so
much scope is given in human .religions, and which is so
potent in confirming the devotion of their adherents.